Chapter 41: In The End
Prince Bastion flies into Ponyville and lands in front of the castle. He immediately bows to the three princesses, and ‘prince’ there. “Your majesties, I thank you for letting me come and collect my father’s remains.”
“We are not monsters.” Twilight says.
“We do expect that our demands be met.” Celestia growls.
“Of course.” Bastion says. “I’ll disband the entire army, except for a small force for defense. Of course Equestria will come to our aid if we are attacked.”
“I think that’s a fair compromise.” Celestia says.
“I must be off then.” Bastion says before he grabs the net surrounding his father’s body and flying off.
“Winter Spark, I believe it’s time you lost the wings.” Twilight says.
Winter nods. “Let’s go see Discord.”
“Scootaloo; Silver Spoon. I know you’re there.” Twilight says as she looks around a corner of her castle. “You better come too.”
“Aw come on Twilight.” Scootaloo says as she flies over to her. “Why can’t I keep the ability to fly?”
“Because it’s not right Scootaloo.” Twilight explains, “It’s not who you were meant to be.”
“Fine.” Scootaloo sighs. “Let’s go get this over with.”
The four of them walk to Fluttershy’s cottage, as they walk up to the door it opens and Discord can be heard. “Come in, please.”
They enter and found the table set for tea. Discord and Fluttershy sit at the table, it’s then that Twilight notices that Fluttershy is missing her wings. “Fluttershy, what happened?”
“Oh, you see Discord can’t just make wings out of thin air, so I lent him mine.” Fluttershy says.
“Winter Spark, you have her wings.” Discord says.
Winter nods. “I thank you for the use of them ma’am, Equestria is again in your debt. Ash’s plan went off flawlessly.”
“You’re welcome.” Fluttershy says. Discord snaps his talons and the wings vanish from Winter and appear on Fluttershy regaining their yellow color. Fluttershy flaps her wings and takes to the air. “So much better.”
Discord turns to the other two. “Ah, I almost hate to do this.”
“Discord!” Fluttershy says sternly.
“I just don’t see what the big deal is.” Discord says. “The pony I took the wings Silver Spoon has from has long since passed, and all I did was change Scootaloo’s
magic slightly. Otherwise she’ll never more than hover.”
“You changed her magic?” Twilight asks.
Discord shrugs. “I think it’s more how she uses her magic. I’m amazed she could walk on clouds the way her magic was running through her before.”
Fluttershy looks conflicted. “I just don’t know.”
“It is a lot to take it.”
“Twilight what do you think?” Fluttershy asks.
“I think they’re old enough to make their own decisions.” Twilight answers.
Fluttershy nods. “Scootaloo, the choice is yours.”
“Really?” Scootaloo says. “You mean it?”
Fluttershy nods. “I do.”
Scootaloo looks to Silver Spoon. "What do you think?"
"You've always wanted to fly Scootaloo." Silver says. "But I'll be here for you either way."
"I'd really like to stay this way." Scootaloo says. "I've been enjoying flying."
"Scootaloo, are you sure?" Fluttershy asks. "This is a big change for you."
Scootaloo nods. "I'll have a lot to learn, but I really want this."
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"Then go ahead."
"Thank you." Scootaloo says.
"What about you Silver Spoon?" Discord asks.
"Can I really keep them?" Silver asks.
"Those wings don't actually belong to anypony anymore, so I don't see why not." Discord answers.
"Scootaloo?" Silver asks.
"I don't want you to remain a pegasus for me." Scootaloo says. "I will care for you either way."
Silver nods. "I need to talk to my mom. I really need some time to think this over."
"Just let me know " Discord says.
"I will." Silver says as she flies off.
“I have some other business to attend to.” Twilight says.
“You mind if I go back to the castle and talk to Nymeria?” Winter asks. “We’re about the same age, maybe we could be friends.”
Twilight nods. “Go ahead Winter, she could use a friend. Just don’t press her too hard, she’s been through a lot.”
Winter nods. “Understood.” He heads back to the castle.
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Twilight knocks on the door to Rich Manor, and Diamond Tiara opens the door. “Princess Twilight, come on in.” She moves to the side to let her in the house and into a sitting room where they both sit..
“Is your father in?” Twilight asks. “We have business to settle.”
“Princess Twilight, so glad to see you.” Filthy Rich says as he enters the room.
“I’m sure you’re happier to see the bits I’m carrying.” Twilight says.
Filthy chuckles. “All business, just the way I like it.” He trots over to a desk and pulls out a file and lays it on the table in front of Twilight. “This is an itemized account of every bit I’ve spent funding your secret weapon.”
Twilight picks up the folder with her magic and examines it. “Everything appears in order.” She gets up and pulls a large bag of bits from her saddlebag. “This is every bit you’ve invested, times two. I think you’ll find that more that makes up for having to wait so long.”
Filthy takes the bag and opens it. “It certainly appears genuine. Let me get you a receipt.” He writes her a receipt. “Thank you very much, let me know if we can be of any more help to you.”
Twilight nods. “I will.”
“If you will forgive me, I have other business to attend to.” Filthy says then leaves.
“I should be off too.” Twilight says.
“Princess, if I need a favor from you one day.” Diamond says with a blush. “Would you help me out?””
Twilight chuckles. “If the favor is what I suspect I’ll be more than happy to help you out.” She continues chuckling as she as leaves the manor.
==========
Silver Spoon enters her house and sees Silver Script. "Hey mom, we need to talk."
Silver Script looks at her daughter. "You still have those wings?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." Spoon says as she sits next to her mom. "I've been given the opportunity to keep these wings if I want to."
"Wow!" Script exclaims. "That's a lot to take in."
Spoon nods. "I'm not sure what to do."
"Are you thinking about keeping them just to be closer to Scootaloo?"
"I'll admit that that's one reason. The other is I've genuinely enjoyed flying and being able to walk on clouds."
"Have you tried working with silver since you've got them?"
Silver nods. "They fold up real close to my barrel when I'm not using them, and flying doesn't seem to bother my work."
"Then if you want to keep them, and it's for you then I say keep them."
Spoon nods. "I have one thing I have to do before I decide."
"Good luck." Script says as she hugs Spoon then watches her daughter fly off.
==========
Winter knocks on Nymeria’s door. She opens the door just a little and looks at him through the narrow opening. “Who… who are you?”
“I’m Winter Spark, adopted son of Princess Luna.”
“So you’re a prince?”
Winter shakes his head as he turns around. “I don’t have wings, so nope not a prince.”
Nymeria chuckles slightly. “I’m going by Nymeria.”
Winter nods. “My mom told me, said you picked it out all by yourself. It’s a very beautiful name, I’d like to see the mare it belongs too.”
Nymeria comes out of her room. “I’m just a filly.”
“And I’m just a colt, but you are beautiful.” Winter says as he takes Nymeria’s forehoof and kisses it.
Nymeria blushes. “Thank… thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Winter says. “I was hoping we could be friends.”
“Friends?”
“You know two ponies who share common interests?”
“Do we share common interests?”
“I hear you’re fascinated with magic.”
Nymeria grins and nods. “I like different kinds of magic.”
“So do I.” Winter says. “Watch this.” He calls forth cold fire making it dance in front of him.
Nymeria squeals with joy. “Show me more!”
Winter grins. “I think we’re going to be good friends.”
==========
Silver Spoon finds Scootaloo up on a cloud. "Figured I'd find you here."
Scootaloo smiles and gets up and kisses her fillyfriend. "Just enjoying the cloud."
Silver nods. "I think I made my decision."
"What you decide?"
"I'm going to go back to being an earth pony."
Scootaloo nods. "It's your decision to make." She kisses her again. "Let's go tell Discord."
"You're not upset?"
"Hey, I don't want to tell you what to do. You are my fillyfriend, but that doesn't give me control over you."
"I had to make sure." Silver says as she nuzzles against her. "Cuddle with me on this cloud." Scootaloo does as instructed. "This is nice."
"I agree."
"I could get used to this."
"Get used to it?"
"I'm keeping the wings." Silver says as she kisses Scootaloo.
"I thought you said.."
"I just wanted to make sure that the wings didn't matter. So you better get used to them."
Scootaloo smiles. "Yes, dear."